Study visit by Tunisian delegation

From 26 June to 10 July 2011 the G. Caporale Institute, acting in the capacity of OIE Collaborating Centre, hosted a delegation from the Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie (IRVT). The Tunisian delegation, consisting of veterinary surgeons Latifa Limam, Latifa Khanfir and Hayet Zaouchi, attended a theoretical and practical training course at the Marine Biology and Fisheries Centre in Termoli. The subjects studied related to microbiological analysis of molluscs and water, and the associated quality system.

The training course was held in the ambit of a twinning and cooperation project under the aegis of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), in collaboration with the Italian Health Ministry.

The main purpose of the two-year project is to increase knowledge and technical/scientific skills in the Food Safety field so that the IRTV can become a Food Safety Reference Laboratory and an OIE Collaborating Centre supporting laboratories in other North African countries. Another aim of the project is accreditation of some of IRTV's research activities, such as those relating to marine biotoxins, Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli and staphylococcal enterotoxin.